UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

Form 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2018

 

OR

 

 

For the transition period from ........ to ........  

 

Commission file number is 000-04197

 

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

(972) 991-8400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  ☒  No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files).  Yes  ☒  No  ☐

 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes  ☐  No  ☒

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date: As of October 28, 2018, 5,597,663 shares of common stock, $0.10 par value, were outstanding.

 

 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(dollars in thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

UNITED STATES LIME & MINERALS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

1.    Basis of Presentation

 

The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by United States Lime & Minerals, Inc. (the “Company”) without independent audit.  In the opinion of the Company’s management, all adjustments of a normal and recurring nature necessary to present fairly the financial position, results of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods presented have been made.  Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“US GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted.  The condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2017.  The results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of operating results for the full year.

2.    Organization

 

The Company is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, and operates through two business segments.  Through its Lime and Limestone Operations, the Company is a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment processes), metals (including steel producers), oil and gas services, roof shingle and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries.  The Company operates lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company – Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company – St. Clair and U.S. Lime Company – Transportation.

 

The Company’s Natural Gas Interests segment is held in its wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company – O & G, LLC (“U.S. Lime O & G”).  Under a lease agreement (the “O & G Lease”), U.S. Lime O & G has royalty interests ranging from 15.4% to 20% and a 20% non-operating working interest, resulting in an overall average revenue interest of 34.7%, with respect to oil and gas rights in 33 wells drilled and currently producing on the Company’s approximately 3,800 acres of land located in Johnson County, Texas, in the Barnett Shale Formation. Through U. S. Lime O & G, the Company also has a drillsite and production facility lease agreement and subsurface easement (the “Drillsite Agreement”) relating to approximately 538 acres of land contiguous to the Company’s Johnson County, Texas property.  Pursuant to the Drillsite Agreement, the Company receives a 3% royalty interest and a 12.5% non-operating working interest, resulting in a 12.4% revenue interest, in the six wells drilled and currently producing from pad sites located on the Company’s property.

3.    Accounting Policies

 

Revenue Recognition.  The Company recognizes revenue for its Lime and Limestone Operations when obligations under the terms of a contract, purchase order or purchase agreement are satisfied, which are generally upon shipment.  Revenues are measured as the amount of consideration expected to be received in exchange for transferring products. Revenues include external freight billed to customers with related costs in cost of revenues.  The Company’s returns and allowances are minimal.  External freight billed to customers included in 2018 and 2017 revenues was $6.4 million and $5.8 million, for the three-month periods, and $19.1 and $17.8 million, for the nine-month periods, respectively, which approximates the amount of external freight included in cost of revenues. Sales taxes billed to customers are not included in revenues.  For its Natural Gas Interests, the Company recognizes revenue in the month of production and delivery.

 

The Company operates its Lime and Limestone Operations within a single geographic region and derives its revenues from the sale of lime and limestone products.  Revenues from the Company’s Natural Gas Interests are from the Company’s royalty and non-operating working interests in Johnson County, Texas.  Revenues disaggregated between

contracts for the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations and its Natural Gas Interests are included in Note 4 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

The majority of the Company’s trade receivables are unsecured.  Payment terms for all trade receivables are based on the underlying purchase orders, contracts or purchase agreements.  Credit losses relating to trade receivables have generally been within management expectations and historical trends.  Uncollected trade receivables are charged-off when identified by management to be unrecoverable.  The Company maintains an allowance for doubtful accounts to reflect estimated losses resulting from the failure of customers to make required payments.

 

Successful-Efforts Method Used for Natural Gas Interests.  The Company uses the successful-efforts method to account for oil and gas exploration and development expenditures.  Under this method, drilling, completion and workover costs for successful exploratory wells and all development well costs are capitalized and depleted using the units-of-production method.  Costs to drill exploratory wells that do not find proved reserves are expensed.

 

Comprehensive Income.  Accounting principles generally require that recognized revenue, expenses, gains and losses be included in net income.  Certain changes in assets and liabilities, such as mark-to-market gains or losses on foreign exchange derivative instruments designated as hedges, are reported as a separate component of the equity section of the balance sheet.  Such items, along with net income, are components of comprehensive income.

 

Fair Values of Financial Instruments.  Fair value is defined as “the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date.”  The Company uses a three-tier fair value hierarchy, which classifies the inputs used in measuring fair values, in determining the fair value of its financial assets and liabilities.  These tiers include:  Level 1, defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets; Level 2, defined as observable inputs other than Level 1 prices such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted prices in markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities; and Level 3, defined as unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists, therefore requiring an entity to develop its own assumptions.  Specific inputs used to value the Company’s foreign exchange hedges were Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rates for the expected future payment dates for the Company’s commitments denominated in Euros. See Note 6 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.  There were no changes in the methods and assumptions used in measuring fair value. 

 

The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively, are summarized below (in thousands):

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements.  In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which stipulates that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services.  To achieve this core principle, an entity should apply the following steps: (1) identify the contract(s) with a customer; (2) identify the performance obligations in the contract(s); (3) determine the transaction price; (4) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations in the contract(s); and (5) recognize revenue when (or as) the entity satisfies a performance obligation.  The Company adopted ASU 2014-09 and all related amendments on January 1, 2018 and analyzed contracts which might impact its revenue recognition using the modified retrospective approach.  There was no impact of initially applying the new standard on the opening balance of retained earnings, and there has been no restatement of comparative periods.  The Company expects the impact of adoption of ASU 2014-09 to be immaterial to the financial statements on an ongoing basis.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 (“ASU 2016-02”), “Leases,” which requires the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities by lessees for all leases greater than one year in duration and classified as operating leases under previous guidance.  ASU 2016-02 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those periods.  The Company intends to adopt ASU 2016-02 using the current-period adjustment method which will result in application of the new guidance at January 1, 2019, the beginning of the period of adoption.  Based on its existing leases as of September 30, 2018, the Company estimates the effect on total assets and total liabilities will be approximately $3.0 million each, with the addition of a right-of-use asset and related liability. The Company is continuing to evaluate the effect this standard will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements, but does not expect adoption of this standard to have a material effect other than recording the assets and liabilities, discussed in the previous sentence, to its balance sheet.

 

In August 2017, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-12 (“ASU 2017-12”), “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities.”  This standard better aligns an entity’s risk management activities and financial reporting for hedging relationships and enhances the transparency and understandability of hedge results through improved disclosures.  ASU 2017-12 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and interim periods within those fiscal years.  The Company is currently evaluating the effect that this standard will have on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

In February 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-02 (“ASU 2018-02”), “Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income.” ASU 2018-02 allows a reclassification from accumulated other comprehensive income to retained earnings for stranded tax effects resulting from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”).  The amendments in ASU 2018-02 are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018 and for interim periods therein.  The Company does not believe this standard will have a material effect on the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

 

4.   Business Segments

 

The Company has identified two business segments based on the distinctness of their activities and products: Lime and Limestone Operations and Natural Gas Interests.  All operations are in the United States.  In evaluating the operating results of the Company’s segments, management primarily reviews revenues and gross profit.  The Company does not allocate corporate overhead, interest expense or interest income to its business segments.

 

The following table sets forth operating results and certain other financial data for the Company’s two business segments (in thousands):

 

 

 

5.    Income Per Share of Common Stock

 

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted income per common share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

 

 

6.    Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

 

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income (in thousands):

 

 

In November 2016, to hedge against potential losses due to changes in the Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rates, the Company entered into foreign exchange (“FX”) hedges with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (“Wells Fargo”) as the counterparty to the FX hedges to fix the exchange rate for 5.5 million Euros in connection with a contractual obligation related to the St. Clair kiln project, of which FX hedges with respect to 0.7 million Euros remained outstanding at September 30, 2018.  In May 2018, the Company entered into additional FX hedges with Wells Fargo to fix the exchange rate for 2.2 million Euros in connection with a contractual obligation related to the purchase and installation of equipment at Arkansas Lime Company.  At September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, the Company had total FX hedges fixing the exchange rates for 2.9 million Euros and 2.2 million Euros, respectively.  The Company will be exposed to credit losses in the event of non-performance by the counterparty to the FX hedges.  The FX hedges have been effective as defined under applicable accounting rules.  Therefore, changes in fair value of the FX hedges are reflected in comprehensive income. Due to changes in the U.S. Dollar, compared to the Euro, in the 2018 periods, the fair value of the hedges resulted in a net liability of $35 thousand at September 30, 2018, of which contracts expiring in less than one year comprised a current liability of $43 thousand, included in accrued expenses, and contracts expiring in one year or more comprised a long-term asset of $8 thousand, included in other assets, net.  Due to changes in the U.S. Dollar, compared to the Euro, in the period from when the Company entered into the 2016 FX hedges through December 31, 2017, the fair value of the FX hedges resulted in an asset of $111 thousand at December 31, 2017, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets ($83 thousand) and other assets, net ($28 thousand) at December 31, 2017.

 

7.    Inventories, Net

 

Inventories are valued principally at the lower of cost, determined using the average cost method, or market.  Costs for raw materials and finished goods include materials, labor, and production overhead.  Inventories, net consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

 

 

8.   Banking Facilities and Debt

The Company’s credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”) provides for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) and an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by the Company.  The Revolving Facility and any incremental loans mature on May 7, 2020.  Interest rates are, at the Company’s option, LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to 1.000%; and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to 0.350% on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Facility.  The Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon the Company’s Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of the Company’s total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period.  Pursuant to a security agreement, dated August 25, 2004, the Revolving Facility is secured by the Company’s existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property.  The maturity of the Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs.  As of October 27, 2016, the Company amended its credit agreement to increase the letter of credit sublimit under the Revolving Facility from $5 million to $10 million.  The Company’s maximum Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is 3.50 to 1.

The Company may pay dividends so long as it remains in compliance with the provisions of the Company’s credit agreement, and may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of its common stock so long as its pro forma Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and no default or event of default exists or would exist after giving effect to such stock repurchase.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company had  no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $1.3 million of letters of credit, including $0.9 million related to the St. Clair kiln project, which count as draws against the available commitment under the Revolving Facility. 

 

9.    Income Taxes

 

The 2017 Tax Act reduced the federal statutory income tax rate on corporations from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018.  The Company has estimated that its effective income tax rate for 2018 will be 9.8%.  The primary reasons for the effective income tax rate being below the federal statutory rate is due to research and development tax credits associated with the ongoing construction of the St. Clair kiln project and statutory depletion, which is allowed for income tax purposes and is a permanent difference between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income.

 

 

 

10.    Dividends

 

On September 14, 2018, the Company paid $0.8 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 24, 2018.  On June 15, 2018, the Company paid $0.8 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on May 25, 2018.  On March 16, 2018, the Company paid $0.8 million in cash dividends, based on a dividend of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on its common stock, to shareholders of record at the close of business on February 23, 2018.

 

11.    Subsequent Event

 

On October 30, 2018, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on the Company’s common stock.  This dividend is payable on December 14, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 23, 2018.

 

ITEM 2:     MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Forward-Looking Statements.  Any statements contained in this Report that are not statements of historical fact are forward‑looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward‑looking statements in this Report, including without limitation statements relating to the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, intentions, and adequacy of resources, are identified by such words as “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “believe,” “possible,” “potential,” “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “schedule,” “estimate,” “anticipate” and “project.”  The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward‑looking statements. The Company cautions that forward‑looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations, including without limitation the following: (i) the Company’s plans, strategies, objectives, expectations, and intentions are subject to change at any time at the Company’s discretion; (ii) the Company’s plans and results of operations will be affected by its ability to maintain and increase its revenues and manage its growth; (iii) the Company’s ability to meet short‑term and long‑term liquidity demands, including meeting the Company’s operating and capital needs, including for the modernization and expansion and development project at St. Clair and possible acquisitions, repurchasing the Company’s common stock and paying dividends, and conditions in the credit and equity markets, including the ability of the Company’s customers to meet their obligations; (iv) interruptions to operations and increased expenses at the Company’s facilities resulting from changes in mining methods or conditions, variability of chemical or physical properties of the Company’s limestone and its impact on process equipment and product quality, inclement weather conditions, natural disasters, accidents, IT systems failures or disruptions, including due to cybersecurity incidents or social engineering attacks, or regulatory requirements; (v) volatile coal, petroleum coke, diesel, natural gas, electricity, transportation and freight costs and the consistent availability of trucks, truck drivers and rail cars to deliver the Company’s products to its customers and solid fuels to its plants on a timely basis at competitive prices; (vi) unanticipated delays or cost overruns in completing modernization and expansion and development projects, including the Company’s St. Clair kiln project that is estimated to cost approximately $50 million in total; (vii) the Company’s ability to expand its Lime and Limestone Operations through projects and acquisitions of businesses with related or similar operations, including obtaining financing for such projects and acquisitions, and to sell any resulting increased production at acceptable prices; (viii) inadequate demand and/or prices for the Company’s lime and limestone products due to increased competition from competitors, the loss of large accounts, conditions in the U.S. economy, recessionary pressures in, and the impact of tariffs or other barriers to global trade on particular industries, including construction, steel, industrial and oil and gas services, reduced demand from utility plants, effects of governmental fiscal and budgetary constraints, including the level of highway construction and infrastructure funding, the impact of tax reform, legislative impasses, economic and regulatory uncertainties under state governments and the United States Administration and Congress and inability to continue to maintain or increase prices for the Company’s products, including passing through increased costs of transportation; (ix) uncertainties of prices and regulations with respect to the Company’s Natural Gas Interests, including the absence of drilling activities on the Company’s O & G Properties, any risks the Company may experience with the operators of the wells drilled on the O & G Properties, inability to explore for new reserves, unitization of existing wells, declines in production rates and plugging and abandoning of existing wells; (x) ongoing and possible new regulations, investigations, enforcement actions and costs, legal expenses, penalties, fines, assessments, litigation, judgments and settlements, taxes and disruptions and limitations of operations, including those related to climate change and health and safety and those that could impact the Company’s ability to continue or renew its operating permits or successfully secure new permits in connection with its modernization and expansion and development projects; and (xi) other risks and uncertainties set forth in this Report or indicated from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), including the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017.

 

Overview.

 

We have two operating segments:  Lime and Limestone Operations and Natural Gas Interests.  Revenues and gross profit are the primary items utilized to evaluate the operating results of our segments and to allocate resources.

 

Through our Lime and Limestone Operations, we are a manufacturer of lime and limestone products, supplying primarily the construction (including highway, road and building contractors), industrial (including paper and glass manufacturers), environmental (including municipal sanitation and water treatment facilities and flue gas treatment

processes), metals (including steel producers), roof shingle, oil and gas services and agriculture (including poultry and cattle feed producers) industries.  We are headquartered in Dallas, Texas and operate lime and limestone plants and distribution facilities in Arkansas, Colorado, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas through our wholly owned subsidiaries, Arkansas Lime Company, Colorado Lime Company, Texas Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company, U.S. Lime Company – Shreveport, U.S. Lime Company – St. Clair and U.S. Lime Company – Transportation.  The Lime and Limestone Operations represent our principal business.

 

Our Natural Gas Interests are held in our wholly owned subsidiary, U.S. Lime Company – O & G, LLC, and consist of royalty and non-operating working interests under the O & G Lease with affiliated companies of Enervest, Ltd. and the Drillsite Agreement with XTO Energy, Inc. related to our Johnson County, Texas property, located in the Barnett Shale Formation, on which Texas Lime Company conducts its lime and limestone operations.  No new wells have been drilled or completed on the O&G Properties since 2011.  We cannot predict if any additional wells will be drilled on the O & G Properties, or their results.

 

Revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations decreased 4.7% in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017, and increased 0.1% for the first nine months 2018, compared to the first nine months 2017.  The decrease in revenues in the third quarter 2018 resulted from decreased sales volume of 4.5% for our lime and limestone products, principally from construction and environmental customers, offset in part by increased demand from our steel customers.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, increased demand from our steel customers was offset by decreased demand from our construction and environmental customers.  Demand from our construction customers was adversely impacted in the third quarter 2018 by sustained rains throughout the month of September in Texas, which have continued into October.  When construction demand rebounds, we expect to continue to face transportation challenges, including competition for trucks and drivers, in getting our lime and limestone products to our customers on a timely basis at competitive prices.  In the third quarter 2017, demand from our Houston area construction customers had been adversely impacted by Hurricane Harvey.  Demand from our environmental customers was down in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017, primarily due to the previously disclosed loss of a municipal water treatment account in the second quarter 2018.  We continue to feel the impact of competitive pressures that have resulted in the recent loss of the environmental account and a construction account.  Average prices realized for our lime and limestone products decreased 0.2% in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017.  Average prices realized for our lime and limestone products increased 0.3% in the first nine months 2018, compared to the first nine months 2017.

 

Our gross profit from Lime and Limestone Operations decreased by 26.2% and 11.8% in the third quarter 2018 and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to the comparable 2017 periods.  The decreased gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017, resulted primarily from the decreased revenues discussed above and increased stripping costs in the third quarter 2018, compared to the comparable 2017 period.  We do not anticipate the increased stripping costs to continue in the fourth quarter 2018.  The decreased gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the first nine months 2018, compared to the first nine months 2017, resulted primarily from increased stripping, fuel and transportation costs.

 

Revenues from our Natural Gas Interests increased 10.5% and 7.2% in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to the comparable 2017 periods, resulting primarily from higher prices, partially offset by decreased production volumes resulting from the normal declines in production rates on our 39 existing natural gas wells.  Gross profit from our Natural Gas Interests increased 168.4% and 84.9% in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to the third quarter and first nine months 2017, respectively, as a result of the increased revenues.

 

In the fourth quarter 2016, we began a modernization and expansion and development project at our St. Clair plant in Oklahoma, including construction of a new, more fuel-efficient vertical kiln and related plant improvements.  The total cost for the new kiln project is approximately $50 million, and we expect to be commissioning the kiln by the end of 2018.  We have spent $30.1 million on the project through the end of the third quarter 2018, and we anticipate that most of the balance will be spent in the fourth quarter 2018 and in 2019.

 

In December 2015, we commenced a publicly announced share repurchase program to purchase up to $10 million of our common stock.  In November 2017, we announced a 12-month extension of the repurchase program

through November 2018 to repurchase up to the $7.2 million of our common stock remaining under the program.  Pursuant to that program, we have repurchased 53,154 shares at a weighted-average price of $53.59 per share since the program’s inception.  No shares have been repurchased under the program since the first quarter 2016.

 

We paid regular quarterly cash dividends of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on our common stock in each of the first three quarters 2018.  On October 30, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.135 (13.5 cents) per share on our common stock.  This dividend is payable on December 14, 2018 to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 23, 2018.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources.

 

Net cash provided by operating activities was $31.8 million in the first nine months 2018, compared to $24.0 million in the comparable 2017 period, an increase of $7.9 million, or 32.9%.  Our net cash provided by operating activities is composed of net income, depreciation, depletion and amortization (“DD&A”), other non‑cash items included in net income and changes in working capital. In the first nine months 2018, net cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $15.5 million net income, $13.0 million DD&A, $1.1 million stock‑based compensation and a $1.1 million increase in deferred income taxes. Changes in working capital in the first nine months 2018 included a $1.9 million increase in trade receivables, net, a decrease of $0.7 million in prepaid expenses and other current assets, a decrease of $0.4 million in inventories, net and an increase of $1.4 million in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities.  In the first nine months 2017, net cash provided by operating activities was principally composed of $15.6 million net income, $12.7 million DD&A and $1.1 million stock-based compensation, partially offset by a $1.2 million decrease in deferred income taxes.  Changes in working capital in the first nine months 2017 included a $1.5 million increase in trade receivables, net, an increase in inventories, net of $0.4 million, an increase in prepaid expenses and other current assets of $0.3 million and a decrease in accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities of $2.0 million.  The increase in trade receivables, net in the first nine months 2018 resulted primarily from a greater portion of customer receivables from larger customers, who tend to have longer payment terms, at the end of the third quarter 2018, compared to the end of the fourth quarter 2017.  The increase in trade receivables, net in the first nine months 2017 resulted primarily from increased revenues in the third quarter 2017, compared to the fourth quarter 2016.  The increase in deferred income taxes in the first nine months 2018 is primarily because of the provision for 100% bonus depreciation contained in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “2017 Tax Act”) that applies to our qualified property acquired and placed in service in 2018.  This will result in depreciation for tax purposes significantly exceeding depreciation for book purposes.  In the comparable 2017 period, deferred income taxes decreased primarily because depreciation for book purposes exceeded tax depreciation.

 

We had $31.7 million in capital expenditures in the first nine months 2018, including $17.5 million on the St. Clair kiln project, compared to $14.5 million in the first nine months 2017, including $6.4 million on the St. Clair kiln project.  As of September 30, 2018, we had incurred a total of $33.5 million on the St. Clair kiln project, of which $30.1 million had been paid in cash. 

 

Net cash used in financing activities was $2.4 million in each of the first nine months 2018 and 2017 and consisted primarily of cash dividends paid in each period. 

 

Cash and cash equivalents decreased $1.8 million to $83.2 million at September 30, 2018, from $85.0 million at December 31, 2017. 

 

Our credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. (the “Lender”) provides for a $75 million revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Facility”) and an incremental four-year accordion feature to borrow up to an additional $50 million on the same terms, subject to approval by the Lender or another lender selected by us.  The Revolving Facility and any incremental loans mature on May 7, 2020.  Interest rates are, at our option, LIBOR plus a margin of 1.000% to 2.000%, or the Lender’s Prime Rate plus a margin of 0.000% to 1.000%; and a commitment fee range of 0.200% to 0.350% on the undrawn portion of the Revolving Facility.  The Revolving Facility interest rate margins and commitment fee are determined quarterly in accordance with a pricing grid based upon our Cash Flow Leverage Ratio, defined as the ratio of our total funded senior indebtedness to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, depletion, amortization and stock-based compensation expense (“EBITDA”) for the 12 months ended on the last day of the most recent calendar

quarter, plus pro forma EBITDA from any businesses acquired during the period.  Pursuant to a security agreement, dated August 25, 2004, the Revolving Facility is secured by our existing and hereafter acquired tangible assets, intangible assets and real property.  The maturity of the Revolving Facility and any incremental loans can be accelerated if any event of default, as defined under the credit agreement, occurs.  As of October 27, 2016, we amended the credit agreement to increase the letter of credit sublimit under the Revolving Facility from $5 million to $10 million.  Our maximum Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is 3.50 to 1.

 

We may pay dividends so long as we remain in compliance with the provisions of our credit agreement, and we may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire shares of our common stock so long as our pro forma Cash Flow Leverage Ratio is less than 3.00 to 1.00 and no default or event of default exists or would exist after giving effect to such stock repurchase.

 

We are not contractually committed to any planned capital expenditures until actual orders are placed for equipment.  As of September 30, 2018, we had approximately $4.6 million of commitments for open orders related to planned capital expenditures, including approximately $2.1 million related to the St. Clair kiln project.

 

As of September 30, 2018, we had no debt outstanding and no draws on the Revolving Facility other than $1.3 million of letters of credit, including $0.9 million related to the St. Clair kiln project, which count as draws against the available commitment under the Revolving Facility.  We believe that, absent a significant acquisition, cash on hand and cash flows from operations will be sufficient to meet our operating needs, ongoing capital needs, including current and possible modernization and expansion and development projects such as the kiln project at St. Clair, and liquidity needs and allow us to repurchase up to $7.2 million of our common stock remaining to be repurchased under our extended share repurchase program as well as pay regular cash dividends for the near future.

 

Results of Operations.

 

Revenues in the third quarter 2018 were $35.3 million, compared to $36.9 million in the third quarter 2017, a decrease of $1.7 million, or 4.5%.  Revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the third quarter 2018 decreased $1.7 million, or 4.7%, to $34.7 million from $36.4 million in the third quarter 2017, while revenues from our Natural Gas Interests increased $53 thousand, or 10.5%, to $559 thousand in the third quarter 2018 from $506 thousand in the comparable prior year period.  In the first nine months 2018, revenues were $109.8 million, compared to $109.6 million in the comparable 2017 period, an increase of $0.2 million, or 0.2%.  Revenues from the Company’s Lime and Limestone Operations in the first nine months 2018 increased $0.1 million, or 0.1%, to $108.0 million from $107.9 million in the comparable 2017 period, and revenues from our Natural Gas Interests increased $0.1 million, or 7.2%, to $1.8 million from $1.7 million in the comparable prior year period.

 

As discussed above, the decrease in lime and limestone revenues in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017, resulted primarily from decreased sales volumes of our lime and limestone products, while lime and limestone revenues in the first nine months 2018 were up slightly, compared to the first nine months 2017. 

 

Production volumes from our Natural Gas Interests in the third quarter 2018 totaled 123 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $4.53 per MCF, compared to 137 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $3.69 per MCF, in the third quarter 2017.  Production volumes in the first nine months 2018 from Natural Gas Interests totaled 380 thousand MCF, sold at an average price of $4.78 per MCF, compared to the first nine months 2017 when 425 thousand MCF was produced and sold at an average price of $3.98 per MCF.

 

Gross profit was $7.2 million in the third quarter 2018, compared to $9.6 million in the third quarter 2017, a decrease of $2.4 million, or 24.7%.  Gross profit in the first nine months 2018 was $23.9 million, a decrease of $2.8 million, or 10.4%, from $26.6 million in the first nine months 2017.

 

Gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the third quarter 2018 was $7.0 million, a decrease of $2.5 million, or 26.2%, from $9.5 million in the third quarter 2017.  Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations decreased in the third quarter 2018 to 20.1% from 26.0% in the third quarter

2017.  The decrease in gross profit and gross profit margin in the third quarter 2018, compared to the third quarter 2017, resulted primarily from the decrease in revenues discussed above and the increase in stripping costs.

 

Gross profit from our Lime and Limestone Operations in the first nine months 2018 was $23.1 million, a decrease of $3.1 million, or 11.8%, from $26.2 million for the comparable 2017 period.  Gross profit margin as a percentage of revenues from our Lime and Limestone Operations decreased to 21.4% in the first nine months 2018 from 24.3% in the comparable 2017 period.  The decreased gross profit and gross profit margin in the first nine months 2018, compared to the first nine months 2017, resulted primarily from increased stripping, fuel and transportation costs.

 

Gross profit from our Natural Gas Interests increased to $204 thousand and $758 thousand in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, from $76 thousand and $410 thousand in the comparable 2017 periods, respectively. The increased gross profit for our Natural Gas Interests resulted primarily from the increase in revenues discussed above.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses (“SG&A”) were $2.8 million and $7.9 million in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to $2.7 million and $7.6 million in the comparable 2017 periods, respectively.  As a percentage of revenues, SG&A was 7.9% and 7.2% in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to 7.2% and 6.9% in the third quarter and first nine months 2017, respectively.

 

Interest expense was $66 thousand and $191 thousand in the third quarter and first nine months 2018, respectively, compared to $56 thousand and $174 thousand in the third quarter and first nine months 2017, respectively.  Interest and other income, net increased $0.2 million, or 89.7%, to $0.5 million in the third quarter 2018 from $0.3 million in the third quarter 2017.  Interest and other income, net increased $0.6 million, or 96.5%, to $1.3 million income in the first nine months 2018, from $0.7 million income in the first nine months 2017.  The increase in interest and other income, net resulted from higher average cash balances and higher average interest rate yields on our cash balances.

 

Income tax expense decreased to $0.3 million in the third quarter 2018, compared to $1.4 million in the third quarter 2017, a decrease of $1.2 million, or 80.4%.  Income tax expense decreased to $1.7 million in the first nine months 2018, compared to $4.0 million in the first nine months 2017, a decrease of $2.3 million, or 57.7%.  The decreases in income taxes in the third quarter and first nine months 2018 were primarily due to the impact of the 2017 Tax Act, which reduced the federal statutory income tax rate on corporations from 35% to 21% beginning in 2018. Our effective income tax rate for each of the 2018 and 2017 periods was reduced from the federal statutory rate primarily due to research and development tax credits associated with the ongoing construction of the St. Clair kiln project and statutory depletion, which is allowed for income tax purposes and is a permanent difference between net income for financial reporting purposes and taxable income.

 

Our net income was $4.6 million ($0.81 per share diluted) in the third quarter 2018, compared to net income of $5.7 million ($1.01 per share diluted) in the third quarter 2017, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 19.6%.  Net income in the first nine months 2018 was $15.5 million ($2.76 per share diluted), a decrease of $0.1 million, or 0.7%, compared to the first nine months 2017 net income of $15.6 million ($2.79 per share diluted).

 

ITEM 3:     QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

 

Interest Rate Risk.

 

We could be exposed to changes in interest rates, primarily as a result of floating interest rates on the Revolving Facility.  There was no outstanding balance on the Revolving Facility subject to interest rate risk at September 30, 2018.  Any future borrowings under the Revolving Facility would be subject to interest rate risk.  See Note 8 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Foreign Exchange Risk.

 

At September 30, 2018, we had contracts related to the purchase and installation of equipment that require future payments totaling 2.9 million Euros.  We have entered into foreign exchange hedges fixing our U.S. Dollar

liability at $3.5 million.  We could be exposed to changes in the Euro to U.S. Dollar exchange rate for obligations not effectively fixed by the hedges.  See Note 6 of Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

ITEM 4:     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

 

Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report.  Based upon that evaluation, the CEO and CFO concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Report were effective.

 

No change in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II.     OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 2:     UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

 

In December 2015, we commenced a publicly announced share repurchase program to repurchase up to $10 million of our common stock.  On November 17, 2017, we announced a 12-month extension of the repurchase program through November 30, 2018 to repurchase up to the $7.2 million of our common stock remaining under the program.  We did not repurchase any shares pursuant to this program in the third quarter 2018.

 

 

ITEM 4:    MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

 

Under Section 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act and Item 104 of SEC Regulation S‑K, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include disclosures regarding certain mine safety results in its periodic reports filed with the SEC.  The operation of our quarries, underground mine and plants is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977.  The required information regarding certain mining safety and health matters, broken down by mining complex, for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 is presented in Exhibit 95.1 to this Report.

We believe we are responsible to employees to provide a safe and healthy workplace environment. We seek to accomplish this by: training employees in safe work practices; openly communicating with employees; following safety standards and establishing and improving safe work practices; involving employees in safety processes; and recording, reporting and investigating accidents, incidents and losses to avoid reoccurrence.

Following passage of the Mine Improvement and New Emergency Response Act of 2006, MSHA significantly increased the enforcement of mining safety and health standards on all aspects of mining operations. There has also been an increase in the dollar penalties assessed for citations and orders issued in recent years.

ITEM 6:    EXHIBITS

The Exhibit Index set forth below is incorporated by reference in response to this Item.

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.